ITUC secretary general Kwasi Adu-Amankwah called on African governments and the wider international community to intervene to stop attacks against union activists and other perceived opposition forces in Zimbabwe.

“The road ahead is difficult …. human and trade union rights violations persist and concern is mounting with the prospect of fresh elections,” Adu-Amankwah told Africa Union leaders who met in Harare from Tuesday to Wednesday to assess worker rights in Zimbabwe.

“Attacks on trade unionists and other perceived opposition forces have been a constant feature of recent elections and violence is already affecting the constitutional outreach process,” Adu-Amankwah said, referring to Zimbabwe’s violence marred constitutional reforms.

One person died and scores of others were injured two weeks ago during violent clashes during public hearings on the new constitution in the capital and its dormitory Chitungwiza town, forcing the government to suspended the outreach programme in the two cities.

Adu-Amankwah appealed to the international community to assist the push for justice and democracy in Zimbabwe.

He said: “The conference appeals to national governments, regional and international bodies to play their part in helping Zimbabwe achieve a peaceful, prosperous and democratic future. Success in bringing justice to Zimbabwe would be a milestone (in the struggle to bring) workers rights and democracy to Africa and beyond.”

The ITUC conference was held to follow up on recommendations by an International Labour Organisation (ILO) commission of inquiry last year that called on Harare to repeal a battery of security laws that victimise workers and inhibit union activity.

In a statement the union leaders said they hoped the Zimbabwean government will act to stop harassment of trade unionists and that it would uphold human and worker rights.

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Lovemore Matombo told ZimOnline that he hoped the government will bow to pressure to reform its repressive laws.

The ILO commission of inquiry was prompted by the alleged assault and torture of top ZCTU officials in September 2006 after state security agents foiled a workers' protest.

Matombo and ZCTU secretary general Wellington Chibebe were among some of the executives from the labour body who were severely assaulted and tortured by the security agents.

Matombo, Chibebe and 14 others later sued Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi, Police Commissioner General, Augustine Chihuri and several other police officers implicated in their alleged torture after reports by independent medical doctors indicated that their injuries were consistent with torture.

The ZCTU has previously criticised the unity government of President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai for its failure to reform the police to instill professionalism.

By Zimonline